small farm resources
We encourage everyone to get better acquainted with the folks who work so hard to produce the beautiful and nourishing fruits, nuts, vegetables and other wonderful products we all enjoy so much.
Farmers Markets
If you like the idea of buying directly from a local farmer, check out one of the many farmers’ markets offered throughout the region. In addition to fruit and vegetables, many farmers’ markets offer a bounty of other products, from cheeses and olive oil to wine, locally-raised meats, eggs, baked goods, flowers and preserves.
Farm Trail maps
We are lucky, in the Sacramento region, to be surrounded by so many small farms and agricultural assets. Did you know there are a number of farms, wineries and other producers in the area that accept visitors, and some even offer tours and an array of interesting items for sale? You may be familiar with the Apple Hill farm trail, but there are many others that provide you and your family with lots of opportunities for fun and adventure, as well as the ability to get up close and personal with our local agriculture. Click on the links below to find out more.
CSA Boxes
If you love fresh produce, like we do, and want to help support small farmers, consider signing up for a CSA box.
CSA, or community-supported agriculture, is a partnership between a farm and a community of supporters which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food. Supporters, or subscribers, help cover a farm’s yearly operating budget by purchasing a share of the season’s harvest. The subscribers’ fees pay for things like seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment maintenance and labor. In return, the farm provides a supply of beautiful, seasonal fresh produce to the subscribers throughout the growing season.
Once a week, the farm will assemble a sturdy box of seasonal produce for subscribers. Many farms offer a host of options, such as veggie-only, fruit-only, the addition of fresh eggs, honey, olive oil, bread and even flowers and other farm products; and the ability to order different-sized boxes or get bi-weekly deliveries. In some cases, depending on the season and the farm’s crop availability, the farmer may purchase produce from other nearby growers to complement their CSA box selection.
Each week, the contents of the box will be a mystery to subscribers until it is opened – and that’s a big part of the fun. The program encourages subscribers to try fruits and vegetables, at their most seasonal and flavorful, that they may never have tasted. The CSA box often contains recipes and information about the farm’s activities, and some CSA growers invite subscribers to special events several times a year.
The CSA boxes are usually delivered to a central neighborhood location so members can pick them up easily.
Here’s a selection of local farms offering CSA subscriptions:
Soil Born Farms
Sacramento
Riverdog Farm
Guinda, Yolo County
Full Belly Farm
Guinda, Yolo County
Good Humus produce
Capay, Yolo County
Terra Firma Farm
Winters, Yolo County
Farm Fresh to You
Capay, Yolo County